Abstract
The reconstruction of severe alveolar bone defects remains a complex and challenging field for clinicians. Three-dimensional-printed scaffolds can adapt precisely to the complicated shape of the bone defects, which is an alternative solution to bone tissue engineering. Our previous study constructed an innovative low-temperature 3D-printed silk fibroin/collagen I/nano-hydroxyapatite (SF/COL-I/nHA) composite scaffold with a stable structure and remarkable biocompatibility. However, the clinical translation of most scaffolds is limited by insufficient angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived exosomes (hUCMSC-Exos) on bone regeneration, especially from the perspective of inducing angiogenesis. HUCMSC-Exos were isolated and characterized. In vitro, the effect of hUCMSC-Exos on the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was examined. Moreover, the loading and release of hUCMSC-Exos on 3D-printed SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds were evaluated. In vivo, hUCMSC-Exos and 3D-printed SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds were implanted into alveolar bone defects, and bone regeneration and angiogenesis were investigated by micro-CT, HE staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed that hUCMSC-Exos stimulated HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro, and the effect increased with increasing exosome concentrations. In vivo, the combination of hUCMSC-Exos and 3D-printed SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds promoted alveolar bone defect repair by enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis. We constructed an elaborate cell-free bone-tissue-engineering system by combining hUCMSC-Exos with 3D-printed SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds, potentially providing new ideas for treating alveolar bone defects.